Late heartbreak for battling Blaze

The Genting Casino Coventry Blaze suffered late heartbreak as the league leading Cardiff Devils snatched a 2-1 victory with just over a minute remaining at Ice Arena Wales.

Providing good traffic in front of Blaze netminder Kevin Nastiuk, the Devils took the lead through Matt Pope tipping home an Andrew Hotham shot on the powerplay (5.02). It was Cardiff’s only successful attempt from 7 chances, Coventry going 0/3.

Blaze were rewarded for their battling efforts as Luke Ferrara tied the game at one short-handed, assisted by Brett Robinson (37.40). The British forward later having to leave the game following a hit by Gleason Fournier, called as 2 minutes boarding on the night, but later upgraded to a two game suspension.

With the physicality level rising, the third period could have gone either way. However, it was the reigning Elite League Champions who found the game-winner through Patrick Asselin (58.51), finding the net at the back-door for a final score of 2-1.